Jackson County Family Court Records

Jackson County family court records are filed with the Circuit Clerk at the courthouse in Newport, covering divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, and domestic relations cases in Arkansas's 1st Judicial Circuit. Search case records at no cost using the Arkansas CourtConnect portal or contact the clerk's office at the Jackson County Courthouse to request copies of documents.

Jackson County Circuit Clerk

The Jackson County Circuit Clerk is the official keeper of all court records filed in Jackson County, including domestic relations, civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. The office is located at the Jackson County Courthouse in Newport, which serves as the county seat.

Jackson County Circuit Clerk
Jackson County Courthouse
208 Main Street
Newport, AR 72112
Phone: (870) 523-7423
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM

The circuit clerk maintains the court docket, issues summonses and subpoenas, prepares court orders and judgments, and manages all filings for the circuit court. The clerk also serves as ex-officio county recorder, handling the recording of deeds, mortgages, and other real property instruments.

A separate Jackson County District Court handles misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic violations, and civil matters under $25,000 in Newport. Preliminary hearings for felonies also go through district court before transferring to circuit court. If you need to find out which court handles your matter, start with the circuit clerk's office — they can direct you accordingly.

The Arkansas CourtConnect system provides partial case information for Jackson County. This means some case data is available online, but not all records are fully digitized. For complete information on older cases, an in-person visit or written request may be needed.

Online Case Search

Jackson County participates in the Arkansas CourtConnect system with partial information access. You can search case records online at caseinfo.arcourts.gov by selecting Jackson County. Search by party name or case number. Results include case type, filing date, parties involved, and current status.

Because Jackson County provides partial information through CourtConnect, some older cases or case documents may not appear online. For records not found through the online portal, contact the circuit clerk's office directly. Written requests should include the names of both parties, approximate years of the case, and prepayment for copy fees.

The court system in Arkansas is governed by Administrative Order 19, which sets rules for public access to court records. Most family court records are public, with the exception of juvenile records, sealed adoptions, and records ordered closed by a judge for specific reasons.

The Jackson County CourtConnect portal provides free online access to circuit court case records in Newport, including domestic relations and family law filings with partial case information.

Family Court Case Types

Jackson County Circuit Court handles all domestic relations and family law matters for the county. Case types include:

• Divorce — Governed by Arkansas Code § 9-12-301. At least sixty days of Arkansas residency is required before filing. Common grounds include eighteen months of continuous separation. Fault grounds such as general indignities are also available.
• Child Custody — Determined under § 9-13-101 using the best interest of the child standard. Courts can award joint or sole physical and legal custody, with parenting time schedules set in the order.
• Child Support — Calculated using state income guidelines based on both parents' incomes. Modifications are available under § 9-14-107 when circumstances change substantially.
• Paternity — Paternity actions establish legal fatherhood. Once established, custody and support can be set by the court. Genetic testing may be ordered if parentage is disputed.
• Domestic Abuse Orders — Emergency and extended orders of protection are available through the circuit court. No attorney is required to petition for protection.
• Juvenile Cases — All juvenile court records are confidential under § 9-27-309 and not available to the general public. Access requires a court order or authorized status.
• Adoption — Adoption records are sealed under § 9-9-217. A court order is required to access sealed adoption records.

Probate matters including estate administration, guardianship, and conservatorship proceedings are also handled by the circuit court in Jackson County.

Fees and Copies

Jackson County follows the standard Arkansas filing fee schedule. A new domestic relations case costs $165.00 to file. Other fees:

• New filing (domestic relations, civil, appeals): $165.00
• Summons or subpoena: $2.50 per person
• Reopening a case: $50.00
• Standard copies: $0.50 per page
• Certified copy: $5.00 per document (up to 10 pages)

Pay in person at the courthouse by cash or money order. Mail-in copy requests require prepayment and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Call (870) 523-7423 to confirm current fees and processing times before sending a mail request. Online searches through CourtConnect are free.

Legal Help Resources

Jackson County residents who need legal help with family court matters can contact these organizations.

Center for Arkansas Legal Services provides free civil legal aid to low-income Arkansans. Family law services include divorce, custody, and domestic violence. Apply at arjustice.org or call 1-800-952-9243.

Arkansas Access to Justice Foundation — See arkansasjustice.org for legal resources in northeast Arkansas and the 1st Judicial Circuit area.

Arkansas Courts Self-Help Resources — Free forms and step-by-step guides at arcourts.gov/directories/resources. These cover divorce without children, custody, support, and protection orders for people who do not have an attorney.

The circuit clerk's staff cannot give legal advice. They can tell you what forms to file and how to submit them, but they cannot explain what to write or advise on the merits of your case.

Nearby Counties

Jackson County is in northeast Arkansas, part of the 1st Judicial Circuit, bordering several other counties with circuit court records.